1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Locked out...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Iain Millar, Dec 6, 2021.

  1. Iain Millar

    Iain Millar New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2021
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base

    I've left my interior light on, and drained the 12V battery.
    I think the locks are deadbolted as the backup key turns nicely but won't unlock the driver door (i have turned it very hard, both ways, not just sticky).
    My locksmith says the only way in is to break a window, to then open the bonnet/hood and access the 12v point to power the locks.

    Does anyone have any clever ideas?

    Can i release the bonnet/hood somehow from the outside?

    Cheers!
     
  2. privilege

    privilege Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2021
    659
    165
    0
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    pull the window frame away from the door jam enough to insert a metal rod and unlock the door manually.

    don't worry, you can always bend the window frame back, it's flimsy.

    this is a really good reason for putting a battery tender style connector on your fuse panel, with access to it from around/under the grill area.

    if you door locks are sticky, try some dry graphite in the lock.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,699
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    call around. locksmiths usually have special tools to avoid breaking a window. but unfortunately, the drivers manual door lock is the only access with a dead 12v
     
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,898
    3,161
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It's been decades, but we use to get under the hood through the grill with a hook
    to pop the hood open on cars. Some are easier than others.
    It's worth a try.
    But a good locksmith should be able to get the door open.
     
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    7,035
    2,782
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I agree. Your next step should be to contact another locksmith or 3.
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,277
    15,074
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Find a bear.

    [​IMG]
     
    RRxing likes this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,673
    38,214
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yeah, but that won't get you any closer to the battery, or unlocking the doors. Yes Mendel, but you will have access to the jumpstart terminal. :rolleyes:

    Have you ever got the backup key (aka manual key) to work? Have you had the car since new?

    Just tested ours (2010)f: clockwise about 30 degrees does the unlock.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Dec 6, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2021
  8. JohnPrius3005

    JohnPrius3005 Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2021
    400
    217
    0
    Location:
    California and Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I had a similar problem. Eventually I just turned the manual key hard enough, with a pipe wrench. The door opened before the key broke, luckily. After that I keep the manual lock well lubed, and use it all the time.
     
    ASRDogman likes this.
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,898
    3,161
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    "IF" it's, and possibly frozen because water/snow got inside, you can heat the key,
    and insert it, and that could help melt it.

    And yes, I meant to get to the hood open so you can put a jumper or charger on the
    jump point in the fuse box.
    I "nice person u m ed" that was the point of getting the hood open. Once the charger/jumper is
    on the jump point, you can use the key fob to unlock the car and thus get the trunk open.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  10. burrito

    burrito Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2021
    274
    114
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I've been told by 2 locksmiths never to use graphite powder in locks, but to only use a small amount of liquid lubricant. If you use too much spray oil or silicone, it ends up combining with dust and causing the same problem as with powder: gunk forms inside the lock.

    This may be less of an issue with these particular locks which are (supposedly) protected from the elements, but I felt thus was useful information to share.